Interaction between membrane properties and proteins synthesis in reticulocytes - a two step inhibition of protein synthesis by valinomycin

The Nonribosomal Peptide Valinomycin: From Discovery to Bioactivity and Biosynthesis

Valinomycin is a nonribosomal peptide that was discovered from Streptomyces in 1955. Over the past more than six decades, it has received continuous attention due to its special chemical structure and broad biological activities. Although many research papers have been published on valinomycin, there has not yet been a comprehensive review that summarizes the diverse studies ranging from structural characterization, biogenesis, and bioactivity to the identification of biosynthetic gene clusters and heterologous biosynthesis. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of valinomycin to address this gap, covering from 1955 to 2020. First, we introduce the chemical structure of valinomycin together with its chemical properties. Then, we summarize the broad spectrum of bioactivities of valinomycin. Finally, we describe the valinomycin biosynthetic gene cluster and reconstituted biosynthesis of valinomycin. With that, we discuss possible opportunities for the future research and development of valinomycin.

Identification of Yeast Mutants Exhibiting Altered Sensitivity to Valinomycin and Nigericin Demonstrate Pleiotropic Effects of Ionophores on Cellular Processes

Ionophores such as valinomycin and nigericin are potent tools for studying the impact of ion perturbance on cellular functions. To obtain a broader picture about molecular components involved in mediating the effects of these drugs on yeast cells under respiratory growth conditions, we performed a screening of the haploid deletion mutant library covering the Saccharomyces cerevisiae nonessential genes. We identified nearly 130 genes whose absence leads either to resistance or to hypersensitivity to valinomycin and/or nigericin. The processes affected by their protein products range from mitochondrial functions through ribosome biogenesis and telomere maintenance to vacuolar biogenesis and stress response. Comparison of the results with independent screenings performed by our and other laboratories demonstrates that although mitochondria might represent the main target for both ionophores, cellular response to the drugs is very complex and involves an intricate network of proteins connecting mitochondria, vacuoles, and other membrane compartments.

Effect of ionophores and metabolic inhibitors on protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocytes

The effect of some ionophores and metabolic inhibitors on reticulocytes protein synthesis was examined. At microM concentrations, valinomycin, nigericin and CCCP rapidly inhibit protein synthesis, while with antimycin-A or DCCD the inhibition is rather slow. The onset of the arrest of protein synthesis coincides with a 20--30% drop in the intracellular ATP content. No inhibition in protein synthesis or drop in ATP was found after 1 h incubation without glucose or in the presence of 2-deoxyglucose. It is shown that the inhibition by valinomycin, nigericin or CCCP is not due to their effect on K+ and/or H+ fluxes through the plasma membrane. Reticulocytes incubated at pH 8.2 show much lower inhibition of protein synthesis by nigericin, CCCP, DCCD or antimycin-A. On the other hand, at this alkaline pH, starvation to glucose causes high inhibition of protein synthesis. It is concluded that the ionophores inhibit protein synthesis due to their uncoupling effect on mitochondrial ATP synthesis. At high pH, the glycolytic activity is relatively high, and the ATP generated by the glycolysis can compensate to some degree for the ATP loss in the oxidative phosphorylation.

Changes in energy charge and block of protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocytes under the action of valinomycin

Valinomycin blocks protein synthesis at the elongation stage in intact reticulocyte while being without action on a cell free system. We demonstrate here that this membrane mediated inhibition is accompanied by a change of the energy charge (ATP/ADP/AMP ratio) of the cells. There seems to be an accumulation of AMP without a proportional gain in ADP. The change in energy charge in itself can be the cause of the inhibition of protein synthesis. We show also that valinomycin can cause a decrease of the energy charge at concentrations where its action as an ionophore is not seen and independent of a possible activation of the Na-K dependent ATPase.

Characterization of [3H]-valinomycin binding to red blood cell membrane

Valinomycin was tritiated by exchange and its biological activity found to be similar to that of non-labeled drug. [3H]-valinomycin binds to red blood cell membranes following a biphasic pattern. High concentrations of the drug lead to an irreversible binding while low concentrations lead to a completely reversible binding. Maximum binding was obtained at acidic pH (pH 4.2) and physiological temperature (37 degrees C). We demonstrate that valinomycin binds strongly to the lipidic phase of the membrane. When binding to erythrocytes and reticulocytes was compared, it was found that the mature red blood cells had less binding capacity than the reticulocytes.

Interaction between membrane properties and protein synthesis in reticulocytes: influence of trypsinization on [3H]-valinomycin action

Using [3H]-Valinomycin we show here that two types of sites can be described for this cyclic depsipeptide. A first type is sensitive to low concentration of trypsin while the other, more internal, is uncovered by the use of the protease. Of these two kinds of sites, the more external one seems more concerned with the effect that Valinomycin has on protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocytes. However, when a high concentration of Valinomycin is used, all the sites can be occupied even those which can be revealed only by tripsinization. In this case, even prolonged trypsin action does not result in release of the protein synthesis inhibitory action of Valinomycin. It is concluded that hydrophobic sites are occupied by Valinomycin only after the cell surface has been saturated by hydrophylic bonds with the antibiotic.

Block in the elongation of protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocyte by action of the ionophore valinomycin

In this paper we show that ribosomes isolated from cells inhibited for protein synthesis by the antibiotic ionophore Valinomycin can still support incorporation of [14C]-leucine into polypeptides in a cell-free system. The extent of this functional integrity depends upon the concentration of Valinomycin used and whether it acted as an ionophore or not. We demonstrate that the antibiotic acts on protein synthesis at the level of elongation and has no action either at the initiation level or as activating an RNase. Moreover, we show that it can inhibit protein synthesis at concentrations where its action as an ionophore cannot be detected.